Improvement in pessaries



R. LOOKWOOD. Pessary.

No. 202,037. Patehted April 2, I878.

Whqesses.

///gbm N PETERS. FHOTO-IJTNOGRAPHER. WASHING ON. D. C,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RHODES LOOKWOOD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN IPESSARIES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,037, dated April 2, 1878; application filed July 30, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RHODES LocKwooD, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Pessaries, of which the following is a specification This invention relates to an improved pessary as anew article of manufacture; and the invention consists in a pessary composed of a metallic spring-core, lapped, re-enforced by a strengthening-strip, and covered with vulcanized rubber soft enough to be easily bent or collapsed when applying it, and soft enough to yield as a cushion and not distress the wearer.

Figure 1 represents one of my improved pessaries in side elevation, a portion of the Vulcanized soft-rubber covering being broken away to show the manner of joining the metal core therein illustrated as a sprin g 5 and Fig.

2 is a cross-section thereof.

The pessary shownv in Fig. 1 has a metal core composed of a strip of spring-steel a, such as commonly used for watch-springs. Its

ends 2 3 are lapped rpon a short piece of spring steel or metal, I); the edges of the superimposed ends 2 3 are notched, and about the three thicknesses is placed a band, 0, the the latter entering the notches in the edges of the strip a, and holding the ends firmly together. This strengtheningstrip b prevents the spring-strip a from being bent sharply about the ends of the band 0, which would be apt, in most instances, to cause the strip a to be broken.

Over the spring a is placed the body of india-rubber d, pure gum being preferably used.

This india-rubber is then subjected to heat, and is vulcanized as soft rubber.

To produce a pessary which will expand afterbeingcollapsed, Iam obliged to employ the best of watch-spring steel. Before attaching the ends of the watch-steel together, the temper is drawn therefrom, so as to reduce the tendency of the spring to break when bent near the band. The straightening-strip assists greatly to prevent breakage of the springcore.

A pessary of hard rubber is very stifi and liable to be broken, is uncomfortable to the wearer, and cannot be readily fitted to any patient.

A pessary covered with guttapercha or unvulcanized india-rubber quickly collects sediment, and emits an unpleasant odor, from which the soft vulcanized cover is perfectly free.

This improved pessary may be bent or folded in any Way necessary to apply it, and

it will then spring outward under the action of its spring. This vulcanized soft-rubber covering, free from smell gained in use, and soft, so as to act as a cushion, and not inflame or feel harsh against or ehafe the parts, is a matter of great importance.

I claim I The spring a, lapped as described, and the strengthening-strip and band, in combination with the coating of vulcanized soft rubber, all substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RHODES LOOKWOOD.

Witnesses FRED. W. STEVENS, WM. F. HoLLIs. 

